Investigation of alleged incidents in childcare centres

Background

Victoria Police is investigating a number of alleged sexual assaults linked to employee Joshua Brown who worked at a number of childcare centres across Melbourne.

The alleged offender has been arrested and charged by police and is in custody.

It is alleged that the offences occurred at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre, Point Cook.

Police believe Brown worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025.

This remains an ongoing, active investigation and police will thoroughly assess all new information received. For the most up-to-date information about the investigation, visit the Victoria Police website.

More information about where and when the alleged offender worked in childcare centres is available below under 'childcare centres and employment dates'. The employment history was last updated on Friday 25 July 2025.

The manner of the alleged offending meant some children were recommended for screening for infectious diseases, and also because infectious diseases can be transmitted in different ways.

Families can be assured the potential risk of exposure to infectious diseases is considered low, and testing results reaffirm this assessment.

We acknowledge this has been a distressing time for all families involved. There is support available to these families.

Supports for impacted children, families and communities

Impacted families can access a range of free, confidential supports that will be tailored to their needs.

These services are available to parents, carers, guardians and children who are experiencing distress related to this incident. Families can access information, guidance and/or counselling to help understand their experiences and the impact.

All families who had a child enrolled at a centre during the offender’s time of employment are eligible.

For more information or to access support, contact West CASA on (03) 9216 0444 or by email at info@westcasa.org.au.

You can also call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) on 1800 806 292 for support with an immediate crisis.

SACL is a state-wide, after-hours, confidential telephone service in Victoria for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. SACL operates between 5pm to 9am on weeknights and throughout weekends and public holidays.

If you are impacted by this incident and do not live in the western metropolitan Melbourne region, you may prefer to seek support in your local area.

There are specialist sexual assault services across Victoria that provide free and confidential counselling and advocacy support for people of all ages. You can find your local sexual assault service by using the Specialist Sexual Assualt Service Map.

Community support and education

Local services West CASA and GenWest are able to provide a range of awareness and information sessions for a variety of communities and organisations. Topics include:

• child sexual abuse prevention and awareness
• how to talk to children about body safety and appropriate physical contact
• how to respond to children if they talk about inappropriate contact
• managing emotions
• additional support services.

Sessions can be tailored for different groups.

For more information contact West CASA on (03) 9216 0444 or by email at info@westcasa.org.au

Early childhood educators and workers

Early childhood educators and workforce who have been impacted by this incident will be able to access specialist support, information and education to help work through their experiences and impacts.

For more information contact West CASA on (03) 9216 0444 or by email at info@westcasa.org.au

Supports across the state

Support for all families

If you or your family have been impacted by family or sexual violence, there are services available to support you.

It does not matter when violence happened – you and your family are entitled to support. Trauma can impact a person at any time.

There are specialist sexual assault services across Victoria that provide free and confidential counselling and advocacy support for people of all ages. You can find your local sexual assault service by using the Specialist Sexual Assault Service Map.

You can also call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) on 1800 806 292 for support with an immediate crisis. SACL is a state-wide, after-hours, confidential telephone service in Victoria for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. SACL operates between 5pm to 9am on weeknights and throughout weekends and public holidays.

The Orange Door also provides free support to individuals and families who have experienced or are experiencing family violence, 9 am to 5 pm weekdays. Visit the Orange Door website to find support near you.

For more resources and information on trauma, sexual assault services, please visit the DFFH web page.

Support for all early childhood educators

A dedicated phone line is operating for people working in early childhood education and care. Staff can access professional and confidential support through TELUS Health by calling 1800 971 573.

This phone line is available for anyone working in the early childhood education and care sector, not just those at directly impacted services.

If you need for support, visit the information above on supports for impacted children, families and communities.

You can find out more information about where and when the alleged offender worked under the 'childcare centres and employment dates' section below.

Additional information

Sexual assualt information

Sexual assault support services are available across Victoria for adults, children and young people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.

If you have experienced or have been impacted by sexual assault and need help, please:

• Visit Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SAS Vic), the peak body for sexual assault and harmful sexual behaviour services in Victoria. SAS Vic can help you find your local sexual assault service through an interactive map or by visiting the list of services.
• Call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) on 1800 806 292 for support with an immediate crisis. SACL is a state-wide, after-hours, confidential telephone service in Victoria for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. SACL operates between 5pm to 9am on weeknights and throughout weekends and public holidays.
• Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) who can provide you with support if you are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family and sexual violence.

For additional resources and information on trauma, sexual assault services, please visit the DFFH web page.

If you are concerned about your child in any way, or feel that you need support yourself, always seek professional advice. A good place to start is your family GP or support services in your local area such as those listed above.

You can visit SAS Vic’s Child Sexual Abuse in Early Childhood Education and Care Settings web page for a range of information and videos on talking to children about sexual assault, looking after yourself and your child and how to respond to your child.

The National Office for Child Safety website also has a range of information and resources for parents, carers and guardians of preschool aged children, or read their specific advice on having conversations about sexual assault with your child; an Easy Read summary of the advice is also available.

Resources are available to support adults to have conversations about body safety with children and young people. To access the resources visit the resources visit the National Office for Child Safety website.

Additional resources for parents/carers/guardians

There is a range of general information, posters and phonelines available where you can find further information to support you to discuss sexual assault with children:

• Raising Children’s Network – Signs of sexual abuse in children and teenagers
• Kids Helpline – Understanding child sexual abuse facts and information

There is advice on how to speak to young children about trauma

Translations

Translated trauma reaction and recovery factsheets are available at the Better Health Channel, including tips for parents.

Victims of crime resources

• Victims of Crime Helpline
• Victims Assistance Program
• Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme
• Victims Legal Service
• Child and Youth Witness Service
• Victims and Witness Assistance Service (Office of Public Prosecutions)

If you believe something inappropriate has happened to your child or have any more information, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stopper website.

Financial supports

Some families are eligible for a payment of $5,000 to help with alternative care arrangements, loss of earnings, and other practical needs.

Families of children who attended the childcare centres below, during the dates listed are eligible for the Immediate Needs Payment.

• Creative Gardens Point Cook from 28 Oct 2021 to 2 Feb 2024 and
• Papilio Early Learning Essendon from 17 Feb 2025 to 9 May 2025.

In addition, families are eligible for the Immediate Needs Payment where their child:

• attended a childcare site where the alleged offender worked within specific date ranges, and
• is recommended for precautionary testing for their child by the Department of Health.

If you think you are eligible, please contact VSSR.financial.support@justice.vic.gov.au.

Once Victim Support staff have confirmed your eligibility based on the above, you will be asked to provide information including:

• a photo of a primary or secondary ID document (This may include a birth certificate, passport, current licence or permit, or DVA card).
• your nominated bank account details in the same name.

Additional information may be required from some families. Our Victim Support staff will advise you if this is required at the time of your application.

The immediate needs payment of $5000 is to help families cover practical considerations such as alternative care arrangements, loss of earnings if time off work is required, medical appointments, counselling, and other practical needs.

Early childhood education

Safety in early childhood education

The health, safety and wellbeing of children attending early childhood services is the highest priority.

Under the Education and Care Services National Law, it is the responsibility of Approved Providers to ensure services are maintaining a safe environment and quality care and learning.

All early childhood services in Victoria must also comply with the Child Safe Standards, which require organisations involving children to have policies, procedures and practices to keep them safe.

Victoria’s Early Childhood Regulatory Authority conducts assessments against the standards, and investigations at early childhood education and care services, where there is reason to believe that offences have been, or are being, committed that pose a risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of any child at the service.

Raising concerns

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stopper website.

Under the National Law, services must report matters including any serious incidents, allegations of abuse and any complaints alleging that a serious incident has occurred.

These matters are investigated by the Regulatory Authority.

You can contact your early childhood service manager directly or the Approved Provider if you're concerned about:

• the safety, health, or wellbeing of children
• staff behaviours and practices
• any other matter.

It's the service's responsibility to deal with all complaints in a positive, constructive and professional manner.

You can also make a complaint to the Regulatory Authority. All notifications are taken seriously and investigated. Reports can be made anonymously.

Anyone with concerns about the safety of children in early childhood services, should call the Regulatory Authority on 1300 307 415.

For more information visit: Making a complaint about an early childhood service.

If you have ongoing concerns, visit the information above on supports for impacted children, families and communities.

Childcare centres and employment dates

This section contains information about the Victoria Police investigation alleged sexual assaults linked to employee Joshua Brown, who worked at a number of childcare centres across Melbourne.

It contains information about when and where the alleged offender worked in childcare centres.

This is an ongoing investigation, and the childcare sites and dates listed below are subject to change. It is recommended you check the site periodically for updates.

Updated list of services – at 25 July 2025

Date clarification

• D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children – Footscray

Dates of employment have been revised to 18 March 2024 to 18 April 2024.

Updated list of services – at 16 July 2025

Additional service

• Point Cook World of Learning on 24 August 2023

Date clarification

• Kids Academy – Melton

Date has been corrected – 12 September 2024 (not 2 September 2024)

Updated list of services – at 15 July 2025

Four new childcare services have been identified

1. Milestones Early Learning Braybrook
2. Milestones Early Learning Greensborough
3. Kids Academy Waratah Estate – Mickleham
4. Milestones Early Learning Tarneit

Services with changed dates

1. Adventurers Education in Wyndham Vale
2. Aussie Kindies Early Learning in Keilor
3. Aussie Kindies Early Learning in Sunbury
4. Explorers Early learning in Point Cook
5. Kids Academy in Melton
6. Milestones Early Learning in Hoppers Crossing
7. Nido Early Learning School in Werribee
8. Only About Children in Williamstown
9. Papilio Early learning in Essendon
10. (Non-childcare) D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children in Footscray

Service no longer in scope

Although records obtained by police recorded that Brown had worked at Papilio Early Learning in Hoppers Crossing between 22 August 2024 and 12 March 2025, further investigation has since determined this information was incorrect and the centre has been removed from the list. Victoria Police is in contact with impacted families.

There are no known changes to other services on the list at this time.

Childcare services

Below is a list of the known services and dates where the alleged offender worked.

The current table reflects updates made on 15, 16 and 25 July 2025.

Other services

Health Advice

In response to the allegations, public health information was provided by the Victorian Department of Health, in partnership with Victoria Police, to families who were affected and whose children may have been recommended for precautionary testing.

Please be assured that testing results related to this investigation confirm the potential risk was low.

If you weren’t contacted by Victoria Police or didn’t receive a direct notification from the Department of Health (via text, email or letter), it is likely that you or your child was not identified as someone needing further public health information in relation to this matter.

We acknowledge this may still be distressing for you and we encourage anyone with further health concerns to contact their GP or visit the information above on supports for impacted children, families and communities.

If you are a staff member at one of the listed childcare centres

Testing was not recommended for staff members; however, you can speak to your GP if you have any concerns about your health.

We acknowledge this matter may still be distressing for you and there are a range of available supports and counselling available to assist you.

A dedicated phone line is operating for people working in early childhood education and care. Staff can access professional and confidential support through TELUS Health by calling 1800 971 573.